Dan + Shay Eager to ‘Watch and Learn Every Night’ on Tour With Rascal Flatts

In January of 2018, Dan + Shay revealed that they will join Rascal Flatts and Carly Pearce on the Flatts' headlining Back to Us Tour later this year. The trek will be an especially meaningful one for the duo, as Rascal Flatts are not only one of their favorite country groups from a fan perspective, but also a major musical inspiration to both Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.

"Obviously, anyone who's listened to our music can tell you that they're a huge influence on us," Smyers explained to the Boot and other reporters in a recent interview. "I remember growing up in Pittsburgh, saving up money and going to see those guys play every summer. We're both such fans. We know every single word to every one of their songs."

Smyers also recalls how that fandom turned into a personal and musical camaraderie: "Shay actually co-wrote a No. 1 off of their last record, a song called "I Like the Sound of That,"" he explains. "That was a full-circle moment."

"But I think, in part, we're just looking forward to getting offstage and then getting a free ticket to the Rascal Flatts show," Smyers adds. "To be able to watch and learn from them every single night is gonna be awesome."

Although no specific dates have yet been set, Dan + Shay have hinted that, in addition to their shows with Rascal Flatts, a headlining tour may be in the works for 2018. Mooney says, whether as an opening act or at the top of the bill, he hopes to be able to plan some special surprises for fans along the way.

"We love being around our fans," Mooney says. "Nowadays, with social media, it's so cool to be able to reach out them and have an immediate response. We can immediately see what songs they're gravitating towards.

"We're always scheming up different things we can do with people," he continues. "This summer, we'll be able to do a bunch of different contests and things, which makes it fun, not only for us, but also for our fans. We wouldn't be here without them, and we're blown away every day that we get to do this. It's the coolest thing."

For the latest on new music and tour details, keep up with Dan + Shay on their website.